Parque Nacional Natural El Cocuy

This national park is officially called Parque Nacional Natural de Sierra Nevada del Cocuy, Chita y GĂĽicĂˇn, but most people just call it Parque Nacional Natural El Cocuy.

Its 306,000 hectares are located in BoyacĂˇ, Arauca and Casanare Departments. On this western side of the range, the park boundary is etched at the 4000-meter (13,120-foot) line. The Sierra Nevada has 21 peaks, several over 5,000 meters (16,400 feet). Ritacu'wa (Ritacuba) Blanco is the highest, at 5,330 meters (17,483 feet). This region is delicate pĂˇramo and has been heavily impacted by farming populations. The park service is working with these communities in restoration of the eco-system and in the development of sustainable alternatives, like eco-tourism. This area abounds with opportunities for trekking and climbing enthusiasts, and for those who just want a feel of the snow. The snowline is, at closest, only a three-hour hike away. This part of the park is divided into three general access points: Las Lagunillas or Alto de la Cueva; La Capilla or La Esperanza; and Rutaku'was (Ritacubas).

At the east side of Parque Nacional Natural (PNN) El Cocuy plunges to its lowest point, 600 meters (1,968 feet) in the Colombian llanos. Climbing the sheer rock here is only for experts. Because of the remoteness of the region and its dense vegetation it has been less impacted by the human hand. The northern sector of PNN El Cocuy is part of indigenous U'wa territory. This is the best preserved, in large part due to the U'wa's respect of Mother Earth. However, their culture and lands are endangered due to the presence of possible petroleum fields.

Fauna species found in PNN El Cocuy include the spectacled bear, puma, chinchilla rabbit, mountain tapir, white-tailed deer and dozens of bird species, amongst them the Andean condor and the Ăˇguila real. Flora is equally diverse, owing to the many eco-systems embraced by the park: frailejĂłn, cardoon cactus, the encillo and sietecueros trees, numerous varieties of mosses and lichens, and cojines (Plantago rigido).

The Park contains the largest expanse of glacier fields in northern South America but they are quickly receding due to global warming. Scientists estimate that at the present rate of melting, the snow pack will disappear in 15 to 20 years. The Sierra Nevada del Cocuy is the birthplace of rivers flowing both to the RĂ­o Magdalena and the Orinoco.

One of the biggest draws to PNN El Cocuy is the mountain climbing. The Sierra Nevada del Cocuy is considered to be one of the most beautiful ranges in the country and the lack of tourists makes for
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Not too far from Hacienda La Esperanza, along the Quebrada El CĂłncavo, is Cueva de Cuchumba. This cave with a waterfall within was once an important ceremonial center for the U\'wa. It was here they
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And it occurred that men with faces of greedOverthrew and erased our villagesImposing their way of life by force.Liberty is a gift that is born with life,It justifies its existence.Without it, Mother
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On the road out of GĂĽicĂˇn is a monument facing north towards the indigenous nation it honors. This is Monumento a la Dignidad de la Raza Uâ€™wa (Monument to the Dignity of the Uâ€™wa Race), created
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An alternative route down to the hot springs is what the locals call the Camino Deshecho, or the Unmade Road. And that is precisely what this trail is: An old stone road, dating from who knows when,
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For those who get their adrenaline rush hugging the faces of cliffs, feeling for the next hand hold, the next foot hold, PNN El Cocuy has some special treats for you. Perhaps the most popular is El
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